At a time when one can't think of burning too many holes in the pocket places like Bistro 1 come to the rescue, and who would not love a bustling busy place, serving value-for-money Mediterranean food accompanied by an exciting selection of world wines anyway? There are three outlets in Soho and one in Covent Garden, each a celebration of good cooking inviting diners to explore the lighter side of dining - both on the palate and the wallet.

Turkish spicy sausages with salad and chef's dressing, char-grilled sardines with garlic mayonnaise and deep-fried spicy chicken on skewers with a garlic yogurt dip could fire up the taste buds. Then there are more delights in store and even the most picky eaters amongst us will be spoilt for choice, think mixed seafood penne pasta, Mediterranean style meat or vegetable moussaka, beef bourguignon and fillet of sea bream topped with smoked salmon and saffron cream. Finally a sweet spark to the meal could come in the form of a banoffee pie or an apple tarte tatin.

Customers at Bumbles Restaurant in Buckingham Palace Road can look forward to dining in a cheerful ambience, in the heart of London, from a menu of British favourites. Relax and unwind in comfort after a hectic day while awaiting traditional specials.

The restaurant offers seasonally changing à la carte and eight-course tasting menus that are a judicious mix of classic cuisine and modern fare. It could include dishes like raw Oxfordshire beef fillet with foie gras, cured Scottish salmon with apple broth, roasted frog leg trifle with garlic purée, Manor farm pork with braised trotters and sweetbreads, roasted rump of Devonshire lamb with buttered baby potatoes and mushrooms, and mozzarella Wellington with truffle sauce. Sweet treats offered are banana crumble surprise, lemon tart with Grand Marnier rice pudding and gingerbread cheesecake with fruit compote. From the wine list, a glass of the house selection pinot noir from New Zealand or the chardonnay from France sets the evening's pace.

When you enter a chain restaurant there is always a sense of déjà vu, yet with the twelve outlets of Giraffe, this may not really be true. Russel and Juliette Joffe and Andrew Jacobs' philosophy behind this group of restaurants is sustaining the driving force of healthy, happy eating, while retaining the difference each location brings. This includes minor variations in the menu too, and explains why the restaurant does not like to be called a chain, but prefers being referred to as a herd. The origin of its quaint name too, is interesting. The giraffe has the largest heart in the animal kingdom, and with its magnificent height is able to perceive things differently. These two features of being different and large hearted sum up the restaurant's proclamation of 'love, eat, live'.

Giraffe offers world food and adds an unusual twist to some familiar dishes. Their breakfast menu has stacked pancakes with bananas and blueberries, warm waffles, ranch styles tostadas and healthy veggie options. Some great starters are a mezze plate with warm naans that offer the best of many cuisines - grilled halloumi, hummus, tzatiki, ratatouille and falafel.  Japanese king fried prawns are a hit, while another bright spot on the menu, is the colourful sunshine antipasti bruschetta, a clever combination of artichokes, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, olives, roasted peppers, red onion and rocket on pesto foccacia. If this long list of ingredients is intriguing, just wait until your palate takes over.

The house's special salad, cheekily called 'more than love', is colourful and has crunchy appeal. The Thai chicken and vermicelli noodle version is an equally enticing starter. For mains, there are plenty of options like roasted corn and chilli bran burritos, tangy turkey enchiladas and the much loved sweet potatoes, asparagus, green beans and broccoli served with organic brown basmati rice. One can also settle for a good old burger and wash it down with interesting smoothies. They also offer world wines and unusual cocktails with catchy names like Bombay flower and pomegranate caipirinha.

The dessert section comprises of not just fruit based healthy desserts, but brilliant stars like Swiss mountain chocolate cheesecake, banana waffle split and rocky road ice cream sundaes, which transport the diner to a state of bliss. The friendly staff, who are carefully hired for their sunny disposition, and children's activities help make these restaurants a very special, happy and healthy treat indeed.

To gain further information, just visit their extremely comprehensive Website.

When you enter a chain restaurant there is always a sense of déjà vu, yet with the twelve outlets of Giraffe, this may not really be true. Russel and Juliette Joffe and Andrew Jacobs' philosophy behind this group of restaurants is sustaining the driving force of healthy, happy eating, while retaining the difference each location brings. This includes minor variations in the menu too, and explains why the restaurant does not like to be called a chain, but prefers being referred to as a herd. The origin of its quaint name too, is interesting. The giraffe has the largest heart in the animal kingdom, and with its magnificent height is able to perceive things differently. These two features of being different and large hearted sum up the restaurant's proclamation of 'love, eat, live'.

Giraffe offers world food and adds an unusual twist to some familiar dishes. Their breakfast menu has stacked pancakes with bananas and blueberries, warm waffles, ranch styles tostadas and healthy veggie options. Some great starters are a mezze plate with warm naans that offer the best of many cuisines - grilled halloumi, hummus, tzatiki, ratatouille and falafel.  Japanese king fried prawns are a hit, while another bright spot on the menu, is the colourful sunshine antipasti bruschetta, a clever combination of artichokes, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, olives, roasted peppers, red onion and rocket on pesto foccacia. If this long list of ingredients is intriguing, just wait until your palate takes over.

The house's special salad, cheekily called 'more than love', is colourful and has crunchy appeal. The Thai chicken and vermicelli noodle version is an equally enticing starter. For mains, there are plenty of options like roasted corn and chilli bran burritos, tangy turkey enchiladas and the much loved sweet potatoes, asparagus, green beans and broccoli served with organic brown basmati rice. One can also settle for a good old burger and wash it down with interesting smoothies. They also offer world wines and unusual cocktails with catchy names like Bombay flower and pomegranate caipirinha.

The dessert section comprises of not just fruit based healthy desserts, but brilliant stars like Swiss mountain chocolate cheesecake, banana waffle split and rocky road ice cream sundaes, which transport the diner to a state of bliss. The friendly staff, who are carefully hired for their sunny disposition, and children's activities help make these restaurants a very special, happy and healthy treat indeed.

To gain further information, just visit their extremely comprehensive Website.

Gazette is an authentic brasserie in the style of local French village cafés, a little heaven of true hospitality where one can find at anytime during the day something to suit the occasion: an early breakfast, a comfortable chill out with a glass of wine in the lounge, a business lunch or a romantic night out. Gazette offers a pleasant atmosphere of well-being.

Their cuisine aims to be simple and generous and is based on provincial cooking, the serving and sharing element and conviviality of their table making it a very special experience recalling the warmth and cordiality of simple French cuisine. The menu changes every day and the 'menu principal' takes in moules marinère, foie gras, côte de b?uf and tasty risotto, and there is also a daily selection of plats du jour. You could also choose fresh sandwiches, crêpes, salads, cooked breakfast and soups, with most available to takeaway.

The 1930s bar holds a selection of fine beers, from the organic draft beer produced at the Meantime brewery in Greenwich to a fantastic selection of Belgium and northern France beers. As for the wine, Gazette takes it very seriously and offers a selection of hundreds of references from well-established, as well as upcoming European wine regions.

At a time when one can't think of burning too many holes in the pocket places like Bistro 1 come to the rescue, and who would not love a bustling busy place, serving value-for-money Mediterranean food accompanied by an exciting selection of world wines anyway? There are three outlets in Soho and one in Covent Garden, each a celebration of good cooking inviting diners to explore the lighter side of dining - both on the palate and the wallet.

Turkish spicy sausages with salad and chef's dressing, char-grilled sardines with garlic mayonnaise and deep-fried spicy chicken on skewers with a garlic yogurt dip could fire up the taste buds. Then there are more delights in store and even the most picky eaters amongst us will be spoilt for choice, think mixed seafood penne pasta, Mediterranean style meat or vegetable moussaka, beef bourguignon and fillet of sea bream topped with smoked salmon and saffron cream. Finally a sweet spark to the meal could come in the form of a banoffee pie or an apple tarte tatin.

When you enter a chain restaurant there is always a sense of déjà vu, yet with Giraffe outlets , this may not really be true. Russel and Juliette Joffe and Andrew Jacobs' philosophy behind this group of restaurants is sustaining the driving force of healthy, happy eating, while retaining the difference each location brings. This includes minor variations in the menu too, and explains why the restaurant does not like to be called a chain, but prefers being referred to as a herd. The origin of its quaint name too, is interesting. The giraffe has the largest heart in the animal kingdom, and with its magnificent height is able to perceive things differently. These two features of being different and large hearted sum up the restaurant's proclamation of 'love, eat, live'.

Giraffe offers world food and adds an unusual twist to some familiar dishes. Their breakfast menu has stacked pancakes with bananas and blueberries, warm waffles, ranch styles tostadas and healthy veggie options. Some great starters are a mezze plate with warm naans that offer the best of many cuisines - grilled halloumi, hummus, tzatiki, ratatouille and falafel.  Japanese king fried prawns are a hit, while another bright spot on the menu, is the colourful sunshine antipasti bruschetta, a clever combination of artichokes, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, olives, roasted peppers, red onion and rocket on pesto foccacia. If this long list of ingredients is intriguing, just wait until your palate takes over.

The house's special salad, cheekily called 'more than love', is colourful and has crunchy appeal. The Thai chicken and vermicelli noodle version is an equally enticing starter. For mains, there are plenty of options like roasted corn and chilli bran burritos, tangy turkey enchiladas and the much loved sweet potatoes, asparagus, green beans and broccoli served with organic brown basmati rice. One can also settle for a good old burger and wash it down with interesting smoothies. They also offer world wines and unusual cocktails with catchy names like Bombay flower and pomegranate caipirinha.

The dessert section comprises of not just fruit based healthy desserts, but brilliant stars like Swiss mountain chocolate cheesecake, banana waffle split and rocky road ice cream sundaes, which transport the diner to a state of bliss. The friendly staff, who are carefully hired for their sunny disposition, and children's activities help make these restaurants a very special, happy and healthy treat indeed.

To gain further information, just visit their extremely comprehensive Website.

1 Brasserie @ Downstairs is the second outlet from the team behind the famed Alla Turca, and its strategic location makes it a popular hangout for post-work diners and just about anyone who wants to savour some sumptuous Mediterranean cooking in the bustling city of Glasgow. The décor is trademark Middle Eastern style with mirrors, candlelight and even a hookah pipe.

The menu's catchword is its affordability and you could start with a Jerusalem artichoke and honeydew pumpkin salad or mixed mezze to share and follow this with a house specialty of barbecued lamb, chicken or cutlet kebab with rice and mixed salad. Other main course dishes include meat moussaka with aubergine, potatoes, mushroom, and hand-cut lamb with Béchamel sauce, and over-roasted chicken legs with its own sauce.

1 Brasserie @ Downstairs is also happy to host private parties for 4-110 people any day of the week.

When you enter a chain restaurant there is always a sense of déjà vu, yet with the twelve outlets of Giraffe, this may not really be true. Russel and Juliette Joffe and Andrew Jacobs' philosophy behind this group of restaurants is sustaining the driving force of healthy, happy eating, while retaining the difference each location brings. This includes minor variations in the menu too, and explains why the restaurant does not like to be called a chain, but prefers being referred to as a herd. The origin of its quaint name too, is interesting. The giraffe has the largest heart in the animal kingdom, and with its magnificent height is able to perceive things differently. These two features of being different and large hearted sum up the restaurant's proclamation of 'love, eat, live'.

Giraffe offers world food and adds an unusual twist to some familiar dishes. Their breakfast menu has stacked pancakes with bananas and blueberries, warm waffles, ranch styles tostadas and healthy veggie options. Some great starters are a mezze plate with warm naans that offer the best of many cuisines - grilled halloumi, hummus, tzatiki, ratatouille and falafel. Japanese king fried prawns are a hit, while another bright spot on the menu, is the colourful sunshine antipasti bruschetta, a clever combination of artichokes, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, olives, roasted peppers, red onion and rocket on pesto foccacia. If this long list of ingredients is intriguing, just wait until your palate takes over.

The house's special salad, cheekily called 'more than love', is colourful and has crunchy appeal. The Thai chicken and vermicelli noodle version is an equally enticing starter. For mains, there are plenty of options like roasted corn and chilli bran burritos, tangy turkey enchiladas and the much loved sweet potatoes, asparagus, green beans and broccoli served with organic brown basmati rice. One can also settle for a good old burger and wash it down with interesting smoothies. They also offer world wines and unusual cocktails with catchy names like Bombay flower and pomegranate caipirinha.

The dessert section comprises of not just fruit based healthy desserts, but brilliant stars like Swiss mountain chocolate cheesecake, banana waffle split and rocky road ice cream sundaes, which transport the diner to a state of bliss. The friendly staff, who are carefully hired for their sunny disposition, and children's activities help make these restaurants a very special, happy and healthy treat indeed.

To gain further information, just visit their extremely comprehensive Website.